My Holy Grail: Antony's Daniel Roth Pour le Mérite and Personal Collection

ant · 2020-04-06T12:16:36Z

Explore Antony's 'Holy Grail' Daniel Roth Pour le Mérite and other cherished watches. A candid look at collecting, market value, and personal passion.

ant

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

28 replies2725 views5 photos

Antony, known as 'ant' on WatchProSite, shares a deeply personal reflection on his horological journey, culminating in the acquisition of his 'Holy Grail' watch. His post offers a rare glimpse into the emotional and financial considerations that shape a collector's path, emphasizing the joy of ownership over market trends. This article explores Antony's insights and the community's reactions to his candid sharing.

Yesterday I was sitting in the garden on a glorius spring day: blue skies, cotton wool clouds, gentle breeze and just about warm enough, smoking a fine cigar, looking at my watches and thinking about how lucky we all are.

On a whim I decided to take some quick pictures and share the delightful warm, light feeling that I had in my heart.

First is my Holy Grail watch. I have longed and lusted after this since it was first launched but just could not conceive of getting one. Then about two years ago a friendly dealer was looking at my vast, disorganised and promiscuous watch collection and asked me what my Grail was. well,,, duh!!...obviously the Pour Le Merite, but I couldn't afford one.

He looked at me oddly, maybe he thought I was crazy, he wouldn't have been the first! Then he said something that gobsmacked me....."but you have already bought one"....

Huh? WTF, maybe he was crazy! He explained that if he sold most of my 'one night stands' that would be enough to get one. I sat there dazed for a few moments,,,well not that many, and agreed to the deal. The rest is history.

And here it is:

I know that Roth is not fashionable or especially highly regarded but I love them. I think the case shape and its execution is marvellous and for me the dial is a visual treat. The guillochet, the numerals, the balance of the whole thing.

If you do not care about watch snobbery may I recommend this under valued brand to you?

I love my 1860 with the Geneva Seal 1.96 movement. It is the epitome of dicreet luxury. Superlative finish, beautiful dial and hands, slim and elegant. A lovely size.

I wear it frequently with tremendous pleasure.

I still remember buying this watch. I was in Singapore on yet another biz trip when I saw an advert from Sincere Watches.... it spoke to me! I swear it! The very next day I placed the order, delivery in several months.

But why not? I felt like I had been waiting for this watch for years, what was another few months?

Here we are about 15 years later and I still adore it.

And one last picture!

Thanks for reading. I hope that you and yours stay safe and well in these troubling times.

Kind regards,

Antony

Key Points from the Discussion

The journey of collecting is often marked by evolution and change, with early acquisitions sometimes finding new homes and shaping subsequent collecting tastes.
Daniel Roth watches, despite their exquisite design and finishing, are often undervalued in the market, offering significant horological value for a relatively modest price.
The dilemma of pursuing a diverse collection versus consolidating for a single 'grail' piece is a common internal debate among collectors, with no definitive right answer.
Impulsiveness in watch acquisitions can lead to 'mistakes' in terms of resale value, but these experiences ultimately contribute to a collector's unique journey and appreciation for their current pieces.
The distinctive case shapes of brands like Daniel Roth and Roger Dubuis (Sympathie) are highly appreciated by collectors who value unique aesthetics beyond traditional designs.

The Discussion

patrick_y

Apr 6, 2020

Thanks for sharing your watch journey with us!

TeutonicCarFan

Apr 6, 2020

they all are excellent and the DR included! Enjoy

ant

Apr 6, 2020

and sometimes I think I know what I want but later find out I was wrong! But these four give me deep satisfaction. Kind regards Antony

ant

Apr 6, 2020

Each to his own, and these are my own. I am pleased that you also like the DR. Kind regards, Antony

ant

Apr 6, 2020

appeals to many for sound financial reasons. On the other hand I have followed my instincts, I am pleased that you like the DR and the Steel Wings. Kind regards, Antony

mdg

Apr 6, 2020

...and I agree that the Roth is a fantastic watch. I have always loved 'different' case shapes and Roth had one of the best along with the Dubuis Sympathie. One reason why I regard the Patek 5020 so highly...now if only I could find some $ in my couch cushions : )

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My Holy Grail: Antony's Daniel Roth Pour le Mérite and Personal Collection

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